Most people know the background of the Native Americans, and much of their culture and beliefs have been lost since the Europeans took their land and pushed them out. Although most non-native Americans believed that these oppressed people were just brutal savages, their form of theater was similar to a ritual for their beliefs. These ritual performances were passed down from generation to generation telling the stories of their religion through these dramatic performances. The stories usually revolves around nature and involved spirits and spirit afterlife. One of the most well-known type of performances would be the Navajo chantways. These are epic dramas that usually involve the creation of the universe. As time went on the amounts of literary Native American plays declined, and With the rise of the film era and the popularity of western films, native American people were once again seen as brutal savages. They were portrayed in the films as killers of anyone who is not Native American. With films like the searchers and back to the future Native Americans were once again painted as savages on the big screen. In today's society Native American culture has gained more sympathy and recognition With which native American playwrights presenting Their culture through new plays. the play rights hope to educate non-natives through the use of theater to help educate and grow in understanding of their culture.